For Teachers
Teach in the USA
Three years. A new classroom. A very different chapter in your career.
You already know what it means to be a teacher. You know the early mornings, the lesson plans, the parent meetings, the difficult classroom, the student who suddenly understands something you have explained five times.
Now imagine doing that job in a US school.
Through the J-1 Teacher Exchange Program, qualified international teachers can teach full-time in US primary and secondary schools for a base period of three years, with extensions possible depending on the programme, school, and sponsor requirements.
In short: three-year teaching placements in US schools, open to experienced K-12 teachers. See if you qualify, or jump straight to the application.
See If You Could QualifyWhy should you consider teaching in the USA?
Build US classroom experience
Earn a salary while you teach
Learn how American schools actually work
Three years to grow as a teacher
Build a real life in the USA
Bring your own culture into the classroom
Build US teaching experience
You will be working as a teacher of record in a US school. You will plan lessons, teach your students, manage your classroom, assess learning, and work with colleagues and parents. After three years, you will have something very few teachers can put on their CV: substantial classroom experience in two different education systems. Your CV gets a passport stamp.
Earn while you work
You are employed by your school and paid according to its employment terms. Salary and benefits vary by school and state, so we will explain the terms of a specific opportunity before you make a decision.
Learn how American schools actually work
You can read about the US education system online. Living and teaching in it is different. You will experience the curriculum, classroom technology, assessment methods, school routines, and expectations for yourself. You will also see things you agree with and things you would do differently. Both are useful.
Give yourself three years to grow
The first year will probably involve a lot of learning: new school, new students, new routines, new expectations. By the second year, much of that will feel familiar. By the third, you will have years of experience to compare. You will know more about what works for you as a teacher, what works for your students, and what you want from your career.
You get a life there
A holiday lasts a few weeks. Teaching there means a school to go to on Monday morning, colleagues who know your name, and a life that actually feels like yours. Students who know you. A local community. Your usual grocery store. A neighbor who invites you to a Fourth of July barbecue. Weekend plans. You might travel to places you have only seen in pictures. You might also spend an entire Saturday doing absolutely nothing. Both are part of living somewhere new.
Bring your own culture into the classroom
The J-1 Teacher Exchange Program is built around cultural exchange as well as teaching. Teachers are expected to share aspects of their home culture with their schools and communities while learning about the US education system and culture. Your students may want to know what school was like where you grew up. They may ask about your home country, your language, your food, your festivals, or your family. You get to share those things with them. And you get to learn from them too.
What will your three years actually look like?
Year 1
Everything is new
You will probably spend a lot of time figuring things out.
- How does this school work?
- What do these students respond to?
- How do parents communicate with teachers?
- How does the curriculum work?
- Which classroom routines work for you?
You will learn from your colleagues, make adjustments, and find your feet.
Year 2
You know the system
The school feels familiar. You know what your students expect from you. You understand the curriculum better. You have experience to draw on when something goes wrong. You can spend more time thinking about your teaching and less time figuring out where everything is.
Year 3
You have perspective
You have now taught in two education systems. You can compare them from experience rather than from what you have read online. You will have a clearer idea of the kind of teacher you want to be and the kind of career you want to build. When you eventually return home, you bring those experiences with you.
What kind of teacher are US schools looking for?
The programme is intended for experienced K-12 teachers. The exact openings depend on what participating schools need when you apply.
A strong application generally includes
At least two years of teaching or related professional experience
A degree equivalent to a US bachelor's degree in education or the subject you intend to teach
The qualifications required to teach in your home country
The ability to meet the teaching requirements of the US state where you will work
Good English communication skills
Experience teaching K-12 students
What does the application process look like?
Tell us about yourself
Send us your CV and information about your education, teaching experience, subjects, grade levels, and certifications.
We review your profile
We look at your experience against current opportunities and programme requirements.
We help you prepare
If your profile is a potential fit, we help you understand what US schools will want to see and what documents you need.
We look for the right school
Your subject, experience, qualifications, and preferences are considered alongside current school requirements.
You meet the school
If a school is interested in your profile, you go through its interview and selection process.
Complete the J-1 process
Once selected, the relevant sponsor and visa process follows. A J-1 visa is subject to the required approvals and does not guarantee placement or employment.
International Teacher Registration
Complete this form with your professional and academic details and upload your latest CV. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next steps.
Questions you are probably asking
How much will I earn?
There is no single salary for J-1 teachers. Your compensation depends on the school, state, qualifications, and experience. Your programme sponsor should provide information about the compensation package and relevant financial arrangements.
Can I take my family?
J-2 dependent visas may be available for an accompanying spouse and unmarried children under 21, subject to the applicable requirements. If you are considering moving with your family, we will help you understand what applies to your situation before you make plans.
Do I need to be teaching right now?
Current teachers can apply. There is also an eligibility route for someone who is not currently teaching, if they have recently completed an advanced degree and have at least two years of full-time teaching experience within the previous eight years.
Do I need a teaching licence?
You need to meet the qualifications for teaching in your home country and the requirements of the US state where you will teach. The exact requirements can vary by state and role.
What happens after three years?
The standard teacher exchange period is three years. A host school can request a one or two-year extension through the programme sponsor, subject to approval. Your options after the programme will depend on your circumstances and the immigration rules that apply at that time. We will not promise an outcome that the programme or visa does not provide.
What if I am not sure I qualify?
Apply anyway. Send us your experience and qualifications. We can look at your profile and tell you where you stand. You do not need to work out every requirement before speaking to us.
Three years from now, what will you have?
You may have taught hundreds of students in a US classroom. Travelled across states you had never visited. Made friends you would never have met at home.
You may have learned new ways of teaching, and discovered that some things you believed about teaching were wrong.
You may have come back with a much clearer idea of where you want your career to go.
You will have three years of experience that you cannot get by staying in the same classroom.
Could your next classroom be in the USA?
If you are an experienced teacher and you have ever wondered what it would be like to teach abroad, this could be the time to explore it. Send us your profile. We'll look at your qualifications, experience, and current opportunities and tell you what the next step could look like.
Check Your Eligibility